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Berger T, Weiss JS, Lisch W, Seitz B. [The latest IC3D classification of corneal dystrophies-Overview and changes of the 3rd edition]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2024:10.1007/s00347-024-02066-w. [PMID: 38951244 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-024-02066-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The International Committee on Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was founded in 2005 to address difficulties arising from the outdated nomenclature for corneal dystrophies (CD) and to correct misconceptions in the literature. For each of the 22 CDs, a separate template was created to represent the current clinical, pathological and genetic knowledge of the disease. In addition, each template contains representative clinical photographs as well as light and electron microscopic images and, if available, confocal microscopic and coherence tomographic images of the respective CD. After the first edition was published in 2008, the revised version followed in 2015. The third edition of the IC3D was published as open access in February 2024. The latest edition is intended to serve as a reference work in everyday clinical practice and facilitate the diagnosis of CD, which might sometimes be difficult. This article provides an overview of the diagnostic and treatment principles of CD and presents the IC3D and its changes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Berger
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS), Homburg/Saar, Deutschland.
| | - Jayne S Weiss
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Eye Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Walter Lisch
- Augenklinik und Poliklinik der Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS), Homburg/Saar, Deutschland
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Turunen JA, Tuisku IS, Repo P, Mörtenhumer S, Kawan S, Järvinen RS, Korsbäck A, Immonen AT, Kivelä TT. Epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) from the splice site altering COL17A1 variant c.3156C>T in families of Finnish-Swedish ancestry. Acta Ophthalmol 2024; 102:296-305. [PMID: 37289141 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe four Finnish families with epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) caused by the pathogenic variant c.3156C>T in collagen type XVII alpha 1 chain gene (COL17A1). METHODS Eleven affected and two unaffected individuals underwent clinical ophthalmological examination, anterior segment photography, and corneal topography. Two of them underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Genetic analysis included both next-generation and Sanger sequencing. Specimens from the manual keratectomy of one patient were available for ophthalmic pathologic examination, including immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The common splice-site altering synonymous variant c.3156C > T, p.(Gly1052=) in COL17A1 was confirmed in 15 individuals with ERED from the four families. Subepithelial corneal scarring grades varied and increased with age, leading to decreased best-corrected visual acuity. PTK improved vision in 58- and 67-year-old individuals without reactivating the disease. The keratectomy specimens showed an uneven epithelium and a spectrum of basement membrane abnormalities, including breaks, fragmentation, multiplication and entrapment within the subepithelial scar, reflecting recurrent erosions. The stromal cells consisted of varying proportions of bland and activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, reflecting different ages of scars. The family with the largest number of known affected generations originated from Southern Sweden. CONCLUSION The phenotype in the Finnish ERED families is consistent with earlier reports of the c.3156C > T variant, although the severity has varied between reports. The phenotype may be modulated by other genes. This study suggests a likely founder effect of the variant in both Finnish and Swedish populations due to their shared population histories. If vision is compromised, PTK can be considered especially in older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni A Turunen
- Ophthalmic Genetics Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Eye Genetics Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilpo S Tuisku
- Cornea and Anterior Segment Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pauliina Repo
- Ophthalmic Genetics Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Eye Genetics Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Mörtenhumer
- Cornea and Anterior Segment Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sabita Kawan
- Eye Genetics Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anna Korsbäck
- Cornea and Anterior Segment Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari T Immonen
- Eye Genetics Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Cornea and Anterior Segment Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tero T Kivelä
- Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
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3
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Weiss JS, Rapuano CJ, Seitz B, Busin M, Kivelä TT, Bouheraoua N, Bredrup C, Nischal KK, Chawla H, Borderie V, Kenyon KR, Kim EK, Møller HU, Munier FL, Berger T, Lisch W. IC3D Classification of Corneal Dystrophies-Edition 3. Cornea 2024; 43:466-527. [PMID: 38359414 PMCID: PMC10906208 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was created in 2005 to develop a new classification system integrating current information on phenotype, histopathology, and genetic analysis. This update is the third edition of the IC3D nomenclature. METHODS Peer-reviewed publications from 2014 to 2023 were evaluated. The new information was used to update the anatomic classification and each of the 22 standardized templates including the level of evidence for being a corneal dystrophy [from category 1 (most evidence) to category 4 (least evidence)]. RESULTS Epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophies now include epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy, category 1 ( COL17A1 mutations, chromosome 10). Signs and symptoms are similar to Franceschetti corneal dystrophy, dystrophia Smolandiensis, and dystrophia Helsinglandica, category 4. Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy, previously reported as X-linked, has been discovered to be autosomal dominant ( MCOLN1 mutations, chromosome 19). Classic lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) results from TGFBI R124C mutation. The LCD variant group has over 80 dystrophies with non-R124C TGFBI mutations, amyloid deposition, and often similar phenotypes to classic LCD. We propose a new nomenclature for specific LCD pathogenic variants by appending the mutation using 1-letter amino acid abbreviations to LCD. Pre-Descemet corneal dystrophies include category 1, autosomal dominant, punctiform and polychromatic pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy (PPPCD) ( PRDX3 mutations, chromosome 10). Typically asymptomatic, it can be distinguished phenotypically from pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy, category 4. We include a corneal dystrophy management table. CONCLUSIONS The IC3D third edition provides a current summary of corneal dystrophy information. The article is available online at https://corneasociety.org/publications/ic3d .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne S Weiss
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Eye Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - Christopher J Rapuano
- Cornea Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Massimo Busin
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Istituto Internazionale per la Ricerca e Formazione in Oftalmologia, Forlì, Italy
| | - Tero T Kivelä
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nacim Bouheraoua
- Department of Ophthalmology, Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital and Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Cecilie Bredrup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ken K Nischal
- Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Adult Motility, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Harshvardhan Chawla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - Vincent Borderie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital and Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth R Kenyon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute and New England Eye Center, Boston, MA
| | - Eung Kweon Kim
- Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Saevit Eye Hospital, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hans Ulrik Møller
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Francis L Munier
- Retinoblastoma and Oculogenetic Units, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital and Fondation Asile des Aveugle, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and
| | - Tim Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Walter Lisch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Hany U, Watson CM, Liu L, Smith CEL, Harfoush A, Poulter JA, Nikolopoulos G, Balmer R, Brown CJ, Patel A, Simmonds J, Charlton R, Acosta de Camargo MG, Rodd HD, Jafri H, Antanaviciute A, Moffat M, Al-Jawad M, Inglehearn CF, Mighell AJ. Heterozygous COL17A1 variants are a frequent cause of amelogenesis imperfecta. J Med Genet 2024; 61:347-355. [PMID: 37979963 PMCID: PMC10982616 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Collagen XVII is most typically associated with human disease when biallelic COL17A1 variants (>230) cause junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), a rare, genetically heterogeneous, mucocutaneous blistering disease with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), a developmental enamel defect. Despite recognition that heterozygous carriers in JEB families can have AI, and that heterozygous COL17A1 variants also cause dominant corneal epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED), the importance of heterozygous COL17A1 variants causing dominant non-syndromic AI is not widely recognised. METHODS Probands from an AI cohort were screened by single molecule molecular inversion probes or targeted hybridisation capture (both a custom panel and whole exome sequencing) for COL17A1 variants. Patient phenotypes were assessed by clinical examination and analyses of affected teeth. RESULTS Nineteen unrelated probands with isolated AI (no co-segregating features) had 17 heterozygous, potentially pathogenic COL17A1 variants, including missense, premature termination codons, frameshift and splice site variants in both the endo-domains and the ecto-domains of the protein. The AI phenotype was consistent with enamel of near normal thickness and variable focal hypoplasia with surface irregularities including pitting. CONCLUSION These results indicate that COL17A1 variants are a frequent cause of dominantly inherited non-syndromic AI. Comparison of variants implicated in AI and JEB identifies similarities in type and distribution, with five identified in both conditions, one of which may also cause ERED. Increased availability of genetic testing means that more individuals will receive reports of heterozygous COL17A1 variants. We propose that patients with isolated AI or ERED, due to COL17A1 variants, should be considered as potential carriers for JEB and counselled accordingly, reflecting the importance of multidisciplinary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummey Hany
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher M Watson
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
- North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub, Central Lab, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Lu Liu
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
- School of Dentistry, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Claire E L Smith
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Asmaa Harfoush
- School of Dentistry, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James A Poulter
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Georgios Nikolopoulos
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, B.S.R.C. 'Alexander Fleming', Vari, Attica, Greece
| | - Richard Balmer
- School of Dentistry, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Catriona J Brown
- Birmingham Dental Hospital, Mill Pool Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anesha Patel
- LCRN West Midlands Core Team, NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN), Birmingham Research Park (West Wing), Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jenny Simmonds
- North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub, Central Lab, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Ruth Charlton
- North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub, Central Lab, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Helen D Rodd
- Academic Unit of Oral Health Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hussain Jafri
- Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Michelle Moffat
- Paediatric Dentistry, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maisoon Al-Jawad
- School of Dentistry, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Chris F Inglehearn
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Alan J Mighell
- School of Dentistry, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Madan S, Sinha S, Chang T, Gutkind JS, Cohen EEW, Schäffer AA, Ruppin E. Pan-Cancer Analysis of Patient Tumor Single-Cell Transcriptomes Identifies Promising Selective and Safe Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targets in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4885. [PMID: 37835579 PMCID: PMC10571718 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have yielded transformative clinical successes for patients with blood tumors, but their full potential remains to be unleashed against solid tumors. One challenge is finding selective targets, which we define intuitively to be cell surface proteins that are expressed widely by cancer cells but minimally by healthy cells in the tumor microenvironment and other normal tissues. Analyzing patient tumor single-cell transcriptomics data, we first defined and quantified selectivity and safety scores of existing CAR targets for indications in which they are in clinical trials or approved. We then sought new candidate cell surface CAR targets that have better selectivity and safety scores than those currently being tested. Remarkably, in almost all cancer types, we could not find such better targets, testifying to the near optimality of the current target space. However, in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), for which there is currently a dearth of existing CAR targets, we identified a total of twenty candidate novel CAR targets, five of which have both superior selectivity and safety scores. These newly identified cell surface targets lay a basis for future investigations that may lead to better CAR treatments in HNSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Madan
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.M.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
- Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Sanju Sinha
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.M.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Tiangen Chang
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.M.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
| | - J. Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (J.S.G.); (E.E.W.C.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ezra E. W. Cohen
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (J.S.G.); (E.E.W.C.)
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alejandro A. Schäffer
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.M.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.M.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
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Roshandel D, Semnani F, Rayati Damavandi A, Masoudi A, Baradaran-Rafii A, Watson SL, Morgan WH, McLenachan S. Genetic predisposition to ocular surface disorders and opportunities for gene-based therapies. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:150-165. [PMID: 37192706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The ocular surface, comprised of the corneal and conjunctival epithelium, innervation system, immune components, and tear-film apparatus, plays a key role in ocular integrity as well as comfort and vision. Gene defects may result in congenital ocular or systemic disorders with prominent ocular surface involvement. Examples include epithelial corneal dystrophies, aniridia, ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. In addition, genetic factors may interact with environmental risk factors in the development of several multifactorial ocular surface disorders (OSDs) such as autoimmune disorders, allergies, neoplasms, and dry eye disease. Advanced gene-based technologies have already been introduced in disease modelling and proof-of-concept gene therapies for monogenic OSDs. For instance, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells have been used for modelling aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK), XP, and EEC syndrome. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been used for disease modelling and/or gene therapy for AAK and Meesmann's epithelial corneal dystrophy. A better understanding of the role of genetic factors in OSDs may be helpful in designing personalized disease models and treatment approaches. Gene-based approaches in monogenic OSDs and genetic predisposition to multifactorial OSDs such as immune-mediated disorders and neoplasms with known or possible genetic risk factors has been seldom reviewed. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of genetic factors in monogenic and multifactorial OSDs and potential opportunities for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Roshandel
- Lions Eye Institute, Perth, WA, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Farbod Semnani
- School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirmasoud Rayati Damavandi
- School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Masoudi
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alireza Baradaran-Rafii
- Department of Ophthalmology, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Ophthalmology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Stephanie L Watson
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - William H Morgan
- Lions Eye Institute, Perth, WA, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Lions Eye Institute, Perth, WA, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Swamynathan SK, Swamynathan S. Corneal epithelial development and homeostasis. Differentiation 2023; 132:4-14. [PMID: 36870804 PMCID: PMC10363238 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE), the most anterior cellular structure of the eye, is a self-renewing stratified squamous tissue that protects the rest of the eye from external elements. Each cell in this exquisite three-dimensional structure needs to have proper polarity and positional awareness for the CE to serve as a transparent, refractive, and protective tissue. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the molecular and cellular events involved in the embryonic development, post-natal maturation, and homeostasis of the CE, and how they are regulated by a well-coordinated network of transcription factors. This review summarizes the status of related knowledge and aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology of disorders caused by disruption of CE development, and/or homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Sarkar S, Panikker P, D’Souza S, Shetty R, Mohan RR, Ghosh A. Corneal Regeneration Using Gene Therapy Approaches. Cells 2023; 12:1280. [PMID: 37174680 PMCID: PMC10177166 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most remarkable advancements in medical treatments of corneal diseases in recent decades has been corneal transplantation. However, corneal transplants, including lamellar strategies, have their own set of challenges, such as graft rejection, delayed graft failure, shortage of donor corneas, repeated treatments, and post-surgical complications. Corneal defects and diseases are one of the leading causes of blindness globally; therefore, there is a need for gene-based interventions that may mitigate some of these challenges and help reduce the burden of blindness. Corneas being immune-advantaged, uniquely avascular, and transparent is ideal for gene therapy approaches. Well-established corneal surgical techniques as well as their ease of accessibility for examination and manipulation makes corneas suitable for in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. In this review, we focus on the most recent advances in the area of corneal regeneration using gene therapy and on the strategies involved in the development of such therapies. We also discuss the challenges and potential of gene therapy for the treatment of corneal diseases. Additionally, we discuss the translational aspects of gene therapy, including different types of vectors, particularly focusing on recombinant AAV that may help advance targeted therapeutics for corneal defects and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhradeep Sarkar
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore 560099, Karnataka, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Priyalakshmi Panikker
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore 560099, Karnataka, India
| | - Sharon D’Souza
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore 560010, Karnataka, India
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore 560010, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajiv R. Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore 560099, Karnataka, India
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Miličić I, Mikuš M, Vrbanić A, Kalafatić D. The Role of Gene Expression in Stress Urinary Incontinence: An Integrative Review of Evidence. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59040700. [PMID: 37109658 PMCID: PMC10142382 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as unintentional urine leakage occurring as a consequence of increased intraabdominal pressure due to absent or weak musculus detrusor contractility. It affects postmenopausal women more often than premenopausal and is associated with quality of life (QoL) deterioration. The complex SUI etiology is generally perceived as multifactorial; however, the overall impact of environmental and genetic influences is deficiently understood. In this research report, we have disclosed the upregulation of 15 genes and the downregulation of 2 genes in the genetic etiology of SUI according to the accessible scientific literature. The analytical methods used for the analysis of gene expression in the studies investigated were immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, PCR, and Western blot. In order to facilitate the interpretation of the results, we have used GeneMania, a potent software which describes genetic expression, co-expression, co-localization, and protein domain similarity. The importance of this review on the genetic pathophysiology of SUI lies in determining susceptibility for targeted genetic therapy, detecting clinical biomarkers, and other possible therapeutic advances. The prevention of SUI with the timely recognition of genetic factors may be important for avoiding invasive operative urogynecological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Miličić
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mislav Mikuš
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adam Vrbanić
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Držislav Kalafatić
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Variant Landscape of 15 Genes Involved in Corneal Dystrophies: Report of 30 Families and Comprehensive Analysis of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24055012. [PMID: 36902444 PMCID: PMC10003302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24055012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal dystrophies (CDs) represent a group of inherited diseases characterized by the progressive deposit of abnormal materials in the cornea. This study aimed to describe the variant landscape of 15 genes responsible for CDs based on a cohort of Chinese families and a comparative analysis of literature reports. Families with CDs were recruited from our eye clinic. Their genomic DNA was analyzed using exome sequencing. The detected variants were filtered using multi-step bioinformatics and confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Previously reported variants in the literature were summarized and evaluated based on the gnomAD database and in-house exome data. In 30 of 37 families with CDs, 17 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were detected in 4 of the 15 genes, including TGFBI, CHST6, SLC4A11, and ZEB1. A comparative analysis of large datasets revealed that 12 of the 586 reported variants are unlikely causative of CDs in monogenic mode, accounting for 61 of 2933 families in the literature. Of the 15 genes, the gene most frequently implicated in CDs was TGFBI (1823/2902, 62.82% of families), followed by CHST6 (483/2902, 16.64%) and SLC4A11 (201/2902, 6.93%). This study presents, for the first time, the landscape of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in the 15 genes responsible for CDs. Awareness of frequently misinterpreted variants, such as c.1501C>A, p.(Pro501Thr) in TGFBI, is crucial in the era of genomic medicine.
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11
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Ramos T, Parekh M, Meleady P, O’Sullivan F, Stewart RMK, Kaye SB, Hamill K, Ahmad S. Specific decellularized extracellular matrix promotes the plasticity of human ocular surface epithelial cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:974212. [PMID: 36457571 PMCID: PMC9705355 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.974212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The ocular surface is composed of two phenotypically and functionally different epithelial cell types: corneal and the conjunctival epithelium. Upon injury or disease, ocular surface homeostasis is impaired resulting in migration of conjunctival epithelium on to the corneal surface. This can lead to incomplete transdifferentiation toward corneal epithelial-like cells in response to corneal basement membrane cues. We show that corneal extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins induce conjunctival epithelial cells to express corneal associated markers losing their conjunctival associated phenotype at both, mRNA and protein level. Corneal epithelial cells behave the same in the presence of conjunctival ECM proteins, expressing markers associated with conjunctival epithelium. This process of differentiation is accompanied by an intermediate step of cell de-differentiation as an up-regulation in the expression of epithelial stem cell markers is observed. In addition, analysis of ECM proteins by laminin screening assays showed that epithelial cell response is laminin-type dependent, and cells cultured on laminin-511 showed lower levels of lineage commitment. The phosphorylation and proteolysis levels of proteins mainly involved in cell growth and differentiation showed lower modifications in cells with lower lineage commitment. These observations showed that the ECM proteins may serve as tools to induce cell differentiation, which may have potential applications for the treatment of ocular surface injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Ramos
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Meleady
- Primary Department, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Finbarr O’Sullivan
- Primary Department, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rosalind M. K. Stewart
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen B. Kaye
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Hamill
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- St Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- External Eye Disease Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Corneal Epithelial Regeneration: Old and New Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113114. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal blindness is the fifth leading cause of blindness worldwide, and therapeutic options are still often limited to corneal transplantation. The corneal epithelium has a strong barrier function, and regeneration is highly dependent on limbal stem cell proliferation and basement membrane remodeling. As a result of the lack of corneal donor tissues, regenerative medicine for corneal diseases affecting the epithelium is an area with quite advanced basic and clinical research. Surgery still plays a prominent role in the treatment of epithelial diseases; indeed, innovative surgical techniques have been developed to transplant corneal and non-corneal stem cells onto diseased corneas for epithelial regeneration applications. The main goal of applying regenerative medicine to clinical practice is to restore function by providing viable cells based on the use of a novel therapeutic approach to generate biological substitutes and improve tissue functions. Interest in corneal epithelium rehabilitation medicine is rapidly growing, given the exposure of the corneal outer layers to external insults. Here, we performed a review of basic, clinical and surgical research reports on regenerative medicine for corneal epithelial disorders, classifying therapeutic approaches according to their macro- or microscopic target, i.e., into cellular or subcellular therapies, respectively.
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Dąbrowska J, Biedziak B, Szponar-Żurowska A, Budner M, Jagodziński PP, Płoski R, Mostowska A. Identification of novel susceptibility genes for non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate using NGS-based multigene panel testing. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1315-1327. [PMID: 35778651 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01919-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
For non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (ns-CL/P), the proportion of heritability explained by the known risk loci is estimated to be about 30% and is captured mainly by common variants identified in genome-wide association studies. To contribute to the explanation of the "missing heritability" problem for orofacial clefts, a candidate gene approach was taken to investigate the potential role of rare and private variants in the ns-CL/P risk. Using the next-generation sequencing technology, the coding sequence of a set of 423 candidate genes was analysed in 135 patients from the Polish population. After stringent multistage filtering, 37 rare coding and splicing variants of 28 genes were identified. 35% of these genetic alternations that may play a role of genetic modifiers influencing an individual's risk were detected in genes not previously associated with the ns-CL/P susceptibility, including COL11A1, COL17A1, DLX1, EFTUD2, FGF4, FGF8, FLNB, JAG1, NOTCH2, SHH, WNT5A and WNT9A. Significant enrichment of rare alleles in ns-CL/P patients compared with controls was also demonstrated for ARHGAP29, CHD7, COL17A1, FGF12, GAD1 and SATB2. In addition, analysis of panoramic radiographs of patients with identified predisposing variants may support the hypothesis of a common genetic link between orofacial clefts and dental abnormalities. In conclusion, our study has confirmed that rare coding variants might contribute to the genetic architecture of ns-CL/P. Since only single predisposing variants were identified in novel cleft susceptibility genes, future research will be required to confirm and fully understand their role in the aetiology of ns-CL/P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Dąbrowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Swiecickiego Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Barbara Biedziak
- Department of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Anomalies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Szponar-Żurowska
- Department of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Anomalies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Margareta Budner
- Eastern Poland Burn Treatment and Reconstructive Center, Leczna, Poland
| | - Paweł P Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Swiecickiego Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrianna Mostowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Swiecickiego Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland.
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Mrugacz M, Bryl A, Falkowski M, Zorena K. Integrins: An Important Link between Angiogenesis, Inflammation and Eye Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:1703. [PMID: 34359873 PMCID: PMC8305893 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrins belong to a group of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) which is a large group of membrane-bound proteins. They are responsible for cell attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and signal transduction from the ECM to the cells. Integrins take part in many other biological activities, such as extravasation, cell-to-cell adhesion, migration, cytokine activation and release, and act as receptors for some viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). They play a pivotal role in cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, tissue repair and are involved in the processes that are crucial to infection, inflammation and angiogenesis. Integrins have an important part in normal development and tissue homeostasis, and also in the development of pathological processes in the eye. This review presents the available evidence from human and animal research into integrin structure, classification, function and their role in inflammation, infection and angiogenesis in ocular diseases. Integrin receptors and ligands are clinically interesting and may be promising as new therapeutic targets in the treatment of some eye disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Mrugacz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Anna Bryl
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
| | | | - Katarzyna Zorena
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
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Castiglia D, Fortugno P, Condorelli AG, Barresi S, De Luca N, Pizzi S, Neri I, Graziano C, Trojan D, Ponzin D, Rossi S, Zambruno G, Tartaglia M. A Novel Phenotype of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa with Transient Skin Fragility and Predominant Ocular Involvement Responsive to Human Amniotic Membrane Eyedrops. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:716. [PMID: 34064633 PMCID: PMC8151857 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous skin fragility disorder frequently caused by mutations in genes encoding the epithelial laminin isoform, laminin-332. JEB patients also present mucosal involvement, including painful corneal lesions. Recurrent corneal abrasions may lead to corneal opacities and visual impairment. Current treatments are merely supportive. We report a novel JEB phenotype distinguished by the complete resolution of skin fragility in infancy and persistent ocular involvement with unremitting and painful corneal abrasions. Biallelic LAMB3 mutations c.3052-5C>G and c.3492_3493delCG were identified as the molecular basis for this phenotype, with one mutation being a hypomorphic splice variant that allows residual wild-type laminin-332 production. The reduced laminin-332 level was associated with impaired keratinocyte adhesion. Then, we also investigated the therapeutic power of a human amniotic membrane (AM) eyedrop preparation for corneal lesions. AM were isolated from placenta donors, according to a procedure preserving the AM biological characteristics as a tissue, and confirmed to contain laminin-332. We found that AM eyedrop preparation could restore keratinocyte adhesion in an in vitro assay. Of note, AM eyedrop administration to the patient resulted in long-lasting remission of her ocular manifestations. Our findings suggest that AM eyedrops could represent an effective, non-invasive, simple-to-handle treatment for corneal lesions in patients with JEB and possibly other EB forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Castiglia
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy; (P.F.); (N.D.L.)
| | - Paola Fortugno
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy; (P.F.); (N.D.L.)
| | - Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (A.G.C.); (G.Z.)
| | - Sabina Barresi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (S.P.); (M.T.)
| | - Naomi De Luca
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy; (P.F.); (N.D.L.)
| | - Simone Pizzi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (S.P.); (M.T.)
| | - Iria Neri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Division of Dermatology, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Claudio Graziano
- Medical Genetics, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | | | - Diego Ponzin
- The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, 30174 Venice, Italy;
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Zambruno
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (A.G.C.); (G.Z.)
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (S.P.); (M.T.)
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16
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Chen AC, Niruthisard D, Chung DD, Chuephanich P, Aldave AJ. Identification of A Novel TGFBI Gene Mutation (p.Serine524Cystine) Associated with Late Onset Recurrent Epithelial Erosions and Bowman Layer Opacities. Ophthalmic Genet 2020; 41:639-644. [PMID: 32880217 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2020.1814345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) corneal dystrophies are associated with a characteristic phenotype, clinical course, and a conserved mutation in the TGFBI gene. However, we report a novel TGFBI missense mutation associated with a late-onset, variant Bowman layer dystrophy. METHODS Participants underwent slit-lamp examination and multimodal imaging. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed on saliva-derived genomic DNA to screen TGFBI exons 4 and 12 as well as COL17A1 exon 46. PolyPhen-2 and SIFT were used to predict the functional impact of any identified variants. RESULTS A 56-year-old Thai woman reported a four-year history of decreased vision and intermittent eye irritation, suggestive of recurrent epithelial erosions, in both eyes. Slit-lamp exam revealed bilateral, irregular, limbal-sparing Bowman layer opacities, which were also noted on anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Phototherapeutic keratectomy was performed in the right eye, improving the best-corrected visual acuity from 20/50 to 20/30. Sequencing of the TGFBI gene revealed a novel heterozygous, missense mutation in exon 12 (c.1571 C > G; p.Ser524Cys), which was present in an affected son and absent in an unaffected son, and was predicted to be damaging by PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. The patient was diagnosed with a variant Bowman layer dystrophy given the late onset of an atypical phenotype and the identification of a novel TGFBI mutation. CONCLUSIONS A novel TGFBI missense mutation is associated with a late-onset Bowman layer dystrophy. Given the atypical clinical appearance and course, molecular genetic analysis was utilized to establish a definitive diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela C Chen
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Duangratn Niruthisard
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Banphaeo General Hospital (Public Organization) , Samutsakhon, Thailand
| | - Doug D Chung
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pichaya Chuephanich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine , Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anthony J Aldave
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Lisch W, Weiss JS. Early and late clinical landmarks of corneal dystrophies. Exp Eye Res 2020; 198:108139. [PMID: 32726603 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Corneal dystrophies (CDs) represent a heterogenous group of genetic diseases (Lisch and Weiss, 2019). The International Committee of Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) distinguishes between 22 distinct forms of corneal dystrophy (CD) which are predominantly autosomal dominant, although autosomal recessive and X-chromosomal dominant and recessive patterns do exist. A detailed corneal examination of as many affected family members as possible can show the phenotypic differences of the various generations. There are few publications which describe the different CDs with regard to the early and late phenotypes. According to early and late phenotype, three types of CD are generally classified: (1) Thirteen CDs with early and late clinical landmarks. However, it must be pointed out that the different penetrances of the gene often leads to quantitative differences in the corneal phenotype in peers in distinct generations of the same family. (2) Seven CDs with late onset and very little progression of the corneal changes. (3) Two CDs with congenital haze which can be interpreted as the final phenotype of this dystrophy. This applies to autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Lisch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Jayne S Weiss
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pathology, and Pharmacology, Louisiana State University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
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18
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McKay TB, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Pal-Ghosh S, Stepp MA. Integrin: Basement membrane adhesion by corneal epithelial and endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 198:108138. [PMID: 32712184 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Integrins mediate adhesion of cells to substrates and maintain tissue integrity by facilitating mechanotransduction between cells, the extracellular matrix, and gene expression in the nucleus. Changes in integrin expression in corneal epithelial cells and corneal endothelial cells impacts their adhesion to the epithelial basement membrane (EpBM) and Descemet's membrane, respectively. Integrins also play roles in assembly of basement membranes by both activating TGFβ1 and other growth factors. Over the past two decades, this knowledge has been translated into methods to grow corneal epithelial and endothelial cells in vitro for transplantation in the clinic thereby transforming clinical practice and quality of life for patients. Current knowledge on the expression and function of the integrins that mediate adhesion to the basement membrane expressed by corneal epithelial and endothelial cells in health and disease is summarized. This is the first review to discuss similarities and differences in the integrins expressed by both cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina B McKay
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute / Mass Eye and Ear, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonali Pal-Ghosh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Mary Ann Stepp
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20052, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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19
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Basement membrane collagens and disease mechanisms. Essays Biochem 2019; 63:297-312. [PMID: 31387942 PMCID: PMC6744580 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20180071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Basement membranes (BMs) are specialised extracellular matrix (ECM) structures and collagens are a key component required for BM function. While collagen IV is the major BM collagen, collagens VI, VII, XV, XVII and XVIII are also present. Mutations in these collagens cause rare multi-systemic diseases but these collagens have also been associated with major common diseases including stroke. Developing treatments for these conditions will require a collective effort to increase our fundamental understanding of the biology of these collagens and the mechanisms by which mutations therein cause disease. Novel insights into pathomolecular disease mechanisms and cellular responses to these mutations has been exploited to develop proof-of-concept treatment strategies in animal models. Combined, these studies have also highlighted the complexity of the disease mechanisms and the need to obtain a more complete understanding of these mechanisms. The identification of pathomolecular mechanisms of collagen mutations shared between different disorders represent an attractive prospect for treatments that may be effective across phenotypically distinct disorders.
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20
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Clinical and genetic update of corneal dystrophies. Exp Eye Res 2019; 186:107715. [PMID: 31301286 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) distinguishes between 22 distinct forms of corneal dystrophy which are predominantly autosomal dominant, although autosomal recessive and X-chromosomal dominant patterns do exist. Before any genetic examination, there should be documentation of a detailed corneal exam of as many affected and unaffected family members as possible, because detailed phenotypic description is essential for accurate diagnosis. Corneal documentation should be performed in direct and indirect illumination at the slit lamp with the pharmacologically dilated pupil. For the majority of the corneal dystrophies, a phenotype-genotype correlation has not been demonstrated. However, for the dystrophies associated with mutations in the transforming growth factor, ß-induced gene (TGFBI) a general phenotype-genotype correlation is evident. The discovery of collagen, type XVII, alpha 1 mutation (COL17A1), causative in the called epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) was a very important step in the accurate diagnosis of corneal dystrophies. This led to the subsequent discovery that the entity previously called 10q Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy, was in reality actually COL17A1 ERED, and not Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy. In addition to the phenotypic landmarks, we describe the current genotype of the individual corneal dystrophies. Differential diagnosis can be aided by information on histopathology, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and confocal microscopy.
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Coincidental Occurrence of Schnyder Corneal Dystrophy and Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy Type 3. Cornea 2019; 38:758-760. [PMID: 30950897 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report a simultaneous occurrence of 2 rare corneal dystrophies. METHODS A 30-year-old man with a family history of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy type 3 (PPCD3) was invited for ophthalmic examination. Sanger sequencing of the coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of disease-associated genes, ZEB1 and UBIAD1, was performed. RESULTS The clinical findings suggested co-occurrence of PPCD3 and Schnyder corneal dystrophy in the proband. This dual diagnosis was supported by genetic findings. He was identified to carry a previously reported heterozygous nonsense mutation in ZEB1: c.2157C>G; p.(Tyr719*), and a novel heterozygous missense mutation in UBIAD1: c.569T>C; p.(Ile190Thr). The mother of the proband only carried c.2157C>G in ZEB1, and slit-lamp examination of her corneas showed endothelial lesions characteristic of PPCD3. The sister of the proband carried c.569T>C in UBIAD1 and had corneal crystal deposition in her anterior stroma consistent with the diagnosis of Schnyder corneal dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates the coincidental occurrence of 2 rare and genetically distinct corneal dystrophies in a single patient. Furthermore, it highlights the need to perform comprehensive phenotyping in combination with appropriate genetic diagnostic testing to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
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22
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Theocharis AD, Manou D, Karamanos NK. The extracellular matrix as a multitasking player in disease. FEBS J 2019; 286:2830-2869. [PMID: 30908868 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are highly specialized and dynamic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds into which cells reside in tissues. ECM is composed of a variety of fibrillar components, such as collagens, fibronectin, and elastin, and non-fibrillar molecules as proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and glycoproteins including matricellular proteins. These macromolecular components are interconnected forming complex networks that actively communicate with cells through binding to cell surface receptors and/or matrix effectors. ECMs exert diverse roles, either providing tissues with structural integrity and mechanical properties essential for tissue functions or regulating cell phenotype and functions to maintain tissue homeostasis. ECM molecular composition and structure vary among tissues, and is markedly modified during normal tissue repair as well as during the progression of various diseases. Actually, abnormal ECM remodeling occurring in pathologic circumstances drives disease progression by regulating cell-matrix interactions. The importance of matrix molecules to normal tissue functions is also highlighted by mutations in matrix genes that give rise to genetic disorders with diverse clinical phenotypes. In this review, we present critical and emerging issues related to matrix assembly in tissues and the multitasking roles for ECM in diseases such as osteoarthritis, fibrosis, cancer, and genetic diseases. The mechanisms underlying the various matrix-based diseases are also discussed. Research focused on the highly dynamic 3D ECM networks will help to discover matrix-related causative abnormalities of diseases as well as novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achilleas D Theocharis
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Manou
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Nikos K Karamanos
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
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Finis D, Stammen J, Lisch W, Geerling G. [Epithelial Dystrophies of the Cornea]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2019; 236:e23-e36. [PMID: 30776844 DOI: 10.1055/a-0849-0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In 2015, the first revision of the international classification of corneal dystrophies (IC3D) has been published. According to this latest version of the IC3D the dystrophies of the cornea are divided into · epithelial and subepithelial dystrophies,. · epithelial-stromal TGFBI dystrophies,. · stromal dystrophies, and. · Descemet-membrane and endothelial dystrophies.. This article summarizes the epithelial and subepithelial dystrophies of the cornea, which, according to IC3D are the following: · epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD),. · epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED),. · subepithelial mucinous corneal dystrophy (SMCD),. · Meesmann corneal dystrophy (MECD),. · Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD),. · gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD).. The main problem concerning almost all dystrophies of the corneal epithelium are epithelial defects (erosion) associated with pain, epiphora and red eyes. In addition, all dystrophies of the epithelium tend to relapse.While therapy is usually initiated with topical therapeutics, in the course of the disease invasive procedures like phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) (possibly with the administration of mitomycin C) or in severe cases even keratoplasty (preferably as deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; DALK) have to be used. Due to the origin of the disease in the epithelial stem cells at the limbus, the replacement of these cells can also be discussed.
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Has C, Nyström A, Saeidian AH, Bruckner-Tuderman L, Uitto J. Epidermolysis bullosa: Molecular pathology of connective tissue components in the cutaneous basement membrane zone. Matrix Biol 2018; 71-72:313-329. [PMID: 29627521 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a group of heritable skin fragility disorders, is characterized by blistering, erosions and chronic ulcers in the skin and mucous membranes. In some forms, the blistering phenotype is associated with extensive mutilating scarring and development of aggressive squamous cell carcinomas. The skin findings can be associated with extracutaneous manifestations in the ocular as well as gastrointestinal and vesico-urinary tracts. The phenotypic heterogeneity reflects the presence of mutations in as many as 20 different genes expressed in the cutaneous basement membrane zone, and the types and combinations of the mutations and their consequences at the mRNA and protein levels contribute to the spectrum of severity encountered in different subtypes of EB. This overview highlights the molecular genetics of EB based on mutations in the genes encoding type VII and XVII collagens as well as laminin-332. The mutations identified in these protein components of the extracellular matrix attest to their critical importance in providing stability to the cutaneous basement membrane zone, with implications for heritable and acquired diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Has
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amir Hossein Saeidian
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leena Bruckner-Tuderman
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jouni Uitto
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Vahedi F, Chung DD, Gee KM, Chuephanich P, Aldave AJ. Epithelial Recurrent Erosion Dystrophy Secondary to COL17A1 c.3156C>T Mutation in a Non-white Family. Cornea 2018; 37:909-911. [PMID: 29708937 PMCID: PMC5932625 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the identification of the collagen, type XVII, alpha 1 (COL17A1) c.3156C>T mutation associated with epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) in a Thai family. METHODS Slit-lamp examination was performed to determine the affected status of each member of a Thai family, with multiple members demonstrating scattered Bowman layer opacities. After genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated from saliva, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to screen COL17A1 and exons 4 and 12 of the transforming growth factor β-induced gene. RESULTS The 67-year-old proband and her 4 siblings were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, which identified bilateral subepithelial opacities in the proband and in one of the 4 siblings. In both the proband and the affected sister, screening of the COL17A1 gene identified a heterozygous c.3156C>T synonymous mutation that has been previously demonstrated to introduce a cryptic splice donor site, likely leading to aberrant splicing of COL17A1. This mutation was not identified in the unaffected siblings, and no mutations were identified in exons 4 and 12 of the transforming growth factor β-induced gene in any of the screened family members. CONCLUSIONS ERED associated with a COL17A1 mutation has been previously reported in only 6 families, all white. Identification of the c.3156C>T mutation, previously identified in 5 of these 6 families, in the Thai family we report indicates conservation of the genetic basis of ERED across different races and underscores the importance of ophthalmologists around the globe being familiar with ERED, which has only recently become a recognized corneal dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnoosh Vahedi
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
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26
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Fidler AL, Boudko SP, Rokas A, Hudson BG. The triple helix of collagens - an ancient protein structure that enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs203950. [PMID: 29632050 PMCID: PMC5963836 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.203950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular microenvironment, characterized by an extracellular matrix (ECM), played an essential role in the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity in animals (metazoans), and in the subsequent evolution of diverse animal tissues and organs. A major ECM component are members of the collagen superfamily -comprising 28 types in vertebrates - that exist in diverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from networks to fibrils. Each assembly is characterized by a hallmark feature, a protein structure called a triple helix. A current gap in knowledge is understanding the mechanisms of how the triple helix encodes and utilizes information in building scaffolds on the outside of cells. Type IV collagen, recently revealed as the evolutionarily most ancient member of the collagen superfamily, serves as an archetype for a fresh view of fundamental structural features of a triple helix that underlie the diversity of biological activities of collagens. In this Opinion, we argue that the triple helix is a protein structure of fundamental importance in building the extracellular matrix, which enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Fidler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sergei P Boudko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Billy G Hudson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Medical Education and Administration, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Yan X, Zhang C, Liang T, Yang F, Wang H, Wu F, Wang W, Wang Z, Cheng W, Xu J, Jiang T, Chen J, Ding Y. A PTEN-COL17A1 fusion gene and its novel regulatory role in Collagen XVII expression and GBM malignance. Oncotarget 2017; 8:85794-85803. [PMID: 29156757 PMCID: PMC5689647 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen XVII expression has recently been demonstrated to be correlated with the tumor malignance. While Collagen XVII is known to be widely distributed in neurons of the human brain, its precise role in pathogenesis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized a new PTEN-COL17A1 fusion gene in GMB using transcriptome sequencing. Although fusion gene did not result in measurable fusion protein production, its presence is accompanied with high levels of COL17A1 expression, revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of Collagen XVII expression by PTEN-COL17A1 gene fusion. Knocked down Collagen XVII expression in glioma cell lines resulted in decreased tumor invasiveness, along with significant reduction of MMP9 expression, while increased Collagen XVII expression promotes invasive activities of glioma cells and associated with GBM recurrences. Together, our results uncovered a new PTEN-COL17A1 fusion gene and its novel regulatory role in Collagen XVII expression and GBM malignance, and demonstrated that COL17A1 could serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Yan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.,Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.,The First Hospital of Baoding, Baoding, Hebei 071000, China
| | - Chuanbao Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Tingyu Liang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Haoyuan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wen Cheng
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiangnan Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yaozhong Ding
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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28
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Gupta S, Chatterjee S, Mukherjee A, Mutsuddi M. Whole exome sequencing: Uncovering causal genetic variants for ocular diseases. Exp Eye Res 2017; 164:139-150. [PMID: 28844620 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Identification of causal genetic defects for human diseases took a significant leap when the first generation DNA sequencing technologies enabled biologists extract sequence-based genetic information from living beings. However, these sequencing methods had unavoidable constraints of throughput, scalability, rapidity, and resolution. In this direction, next-generation sequencing (NGS) since the time of its advent has revolutionized the process of gene discovery for both monogenic and multifactorial genetic diseases. Among several variations of NGS, whole exome sequencing (WES) has emerged as a smart strategy that enables identification of disease causing variants present within the coding region of the human genome. The current review focuses primarily on the application of WES in identification of causal variants for ocular diseases. WES has successfully revealed pathogenic variants in a variety of ocular diseases such as retinal degenerations, refractive errors, lens diseases, corneal dystrophies, and developmental ocular defects. It has demonstrated immense potential for molecular diagnosis of genetic ocular diseases. WES has been extensively used in Mendelian and complex cases, familial and sporadic cases, simplex and multiplex cases, and syndromic and non-syndromic cases of ocular diseases. Although many such ocular diseases have been investigated using WES, reports indicate that it has been employed overwhelmingly for heterogeneous retinal degenerations. WES, within a short period of time, has proved to be a cost-effective and promising approach for understanding the genetic basis of ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Gupta
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Souradip Chatterjee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ashim Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Mousumi Mutsuddi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
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29
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Abstract
Basement membranes are delicate, nanoscale and pliable sheets of extracellular matrices that often act as linings or partitions in organisms. Previously considered as passive scaffolds segregating polarized cells, such as epithelial or endothelial cells, from the underlying mesenchyme, basement membranes have now reached the center stage of biology. They play a multitude of roles from blood filtration to muscle homeostasis, from storing growth factors and cytokines to controlling angiogenesis and tumor growth, from maintaining skin integrity and neuromuscular structure to affecting adipogenesis and fibrosis. Here, we will address developmental, structural and biochemical aspects of basement membranes and discuss some of the pathogenetic mechanisms causing diseases linked to abnormal basement membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Pozzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Veterans Affairs Hospitals, Nashville, TN, United States.
| | - Peter D Yurchenco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Renato V Iozzo
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology and the Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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30
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Cheong SS, Hentschel L, Davidson A, Gerrelli D, Davie R, Rizzo R, Pontikos N, Plagnol V, Moore A, Sowden J, Michaelides M, Snead M, Tuft S, Hardcastle A. Mutations in CPAMD8 Cause a Unique Form of Autosomal-Recessive Anterior Segment Dysgenesis. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:1338-1352. [PMID: 27839872 PMCID: PMC5142107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior segment dysgeneses (ASDs) comprise a spectrum of developmental disorders affecting the anterior segment of the eye. Here, we describe three unrelated families affected by a previously unclassified form of ASD. Shared ocular manifestations include bilateral iris hypoplasia, ectopia lentis, corectopia, ectropion uveae, and cataracts. Whole-exome sequencing and targeted Sanger sequencing identified mutations in CPAMD8 (C3 and PZP-like alpha-2-macroglobulin domain-containing protein 8) as the cause of recessive ASD in all three families. A homozygous missense mutation in the evolutionarily conserved alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) domain of CPAMD8, c.4351T>C (p. Ser1451Pro), was identified in family 1. In family 2, compound heterozygous frameshift, c.2352_2353insC (p.Arg785Glnfs∗23), and splice-site, c.4549-1G>A, mutations were identified. Two affected siblings in the third family were compound heterozygous for splice-site mutations c.700+1G>T and c.4002+1G>A. CPAMD8 splice-site mutations caused aberrant pre-mRNA splicing in vivo or in vitro. Intriguingly, our phylogenetic analysis revealed rodent lineage-specific CPAMD8 deletion, precluding a developmental expression study in mice. We therefore investigated the spatiotemporal expression of CPAMD8 in the developing human eye. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization revealed CPAMD8 expression in the lens, iris, cornea, and retina early in development, including strong expression in the distal tips of the retinal neuroepithelium that form the iris and ciliary body, thus correlating CPAMD8 expression with the affected tissues. Our study delineates a unique form of recessive ASD and defines a role for CPAMD8, a protein of unknown function, in anterior segment development, implying another pathway for the pathogenicity of ASD.
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31
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Oliver VF, Vincent AL. The Genetics and Pathophysiology of IC3D Category 1 Corneal Dystrophies: A Review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2016; 5:272-81. [PMID: 27213768 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal dystrophies are a group of inherited disorders affecting the cornea, many of which lead to visual impairment. The International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies has established criteria to clarify the status of the various corneal dystrophies, which include the knowledge of the underlying genetics. In this review, we discuss the International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies category 1 (second edition) corneal dystrophies, for which a clear genetic link has been established. We highlight the various mechanisms underlying corneal dystrophy pathology, including structural disorganization, instability or maladhesion, aberrant protein stability and deposition, abnormal cellular proliferation or apoptosis, and dysfunction of normal enzymatic processes. Understanding these genetic mechanisms is essential for designing targets for therapeutic intervention, especially in the age of gene therapy and gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity Frances Oliver
- From the *Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; and †Eye Department, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
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32
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Williams KA, Irani YD. Gene Therapy and Gene Editing for the Corneal Dystrophies. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2016; 5:312-6. [PMID: 27488074 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite ever-increasing understanding of the genetic underpinnings of many corneal dystrophies, gene therapy designed to ameliorate disease has not yet been reported in any human patient. In this review, we explore the likely reasons for this apparent failure of translation. We identify the requirements for success: the genetic defect involved must have been identified and mapped, vision in the affected patient must be significantly impaired or likely to be impaired, no better or equivalently effective treatment must be available, the treatment must be capable of modulating corneal pathology, and delivery of the construct to the appropriate cell must be practicable. We consider which of the corneal dystrophies might be amenable to treatment by genetic manipulations, summarize existing therapeutic options for treatment, and explore gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/Cas and other similar transformative technologies as the way of the future. We then summarize recent laboratory-based advances in gene delivery and the development of in vitro and in vivo models of the corneal dystrophies. Finally, we review recent experimental work that has increased our knowledge of the pathobiology of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keryn A Williams
- From the Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
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33
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Le DJ, Chung DWD, Frausto RF, Kim MJ, Aldave AJ. Identification of Potentially Pathogenic Variants in the Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy 1 Locus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158467. [PMID: 27355326 PMCID: PMC4927100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy 1 (PPCD1) is a genetic disorder that affects corneal endothelial cell function and leads to loss of visual acuity. PPCD1 has been linked to a locus on chromosome 20 in multiple families; however, Sanger sequencing of protein-coding genes in the consensus region failed to identify any causative missense mutations. In this study, custom capture probes were utilized for targeted next-generation sequencing of the linked region in a previously reported family with PPCD1. Variants were detected through two bioinformatics pipelines and filtered according to multiple criteria. Additionally, a high-resolution microarray was used to detect copy number variations. No non-synonymous variants in the protein-coding region of annotated genes were identified. However, 12 single nucleotide variants in 10 genes, and 9 indels in 7 genes met the filtering criteria and were considered candidate variants for PPCD1. Eleven single nucleotide variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, including 2 synonymous variants and 9 non-coding variants, in 9 genes. One microdeletion was detected in an intron of OVOL2 by microarray but was subsequently not identified by PCR. Using a comprehensive next-generation sequencing approach, a total of 16 genes containing single nucleotide variants or indels that segregated with the affected phenotype in an affected family previously mapped to the PPCD1 locus were identified. Screening of these candidate genes in other families previously mapped to the PPCD1 locus will likely result in the identification of the genetic basis of PPCD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Le
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Duk-Won D. Chung
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ricardo F. Frausto
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Michelle J. Kim
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony J. Aldave
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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34
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Lin BR, Le DJ, Chen Y, Wang Q, Chung DD, Frausto RF, Croasdale C, Yee RW, Hejtmancik FJ, Aldave AJ. Whole Exome Sequencing and Segregation Analysis Confirms That a Mutation in COL17A1 Is the Cause of Epithelial Recurrent Erosion Dystrophy in a Large Dominant Pedigree Previously Mapped to Chromosome 10q23-q24. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157418. [PMID: 27309958 PMCID: PMC4911149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report identification of a COL17A1 mutation in a family with a corneal dystrophy previously mapped to chromosome 10q23-q24. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA samples from five affected family members and two unrelated, unaffected individuals. Identified variants were filtered for those that were: located in the linked interval on chromosome 10q23-q24; novel or rare (minor allele frequency ≤0.01); heterozygous; present in all affected individuals and not in controls; and present in genes that encode proteins expressed in human corneal epithelial cells (reads per kilobase per million ≥1). Sanger sequencing of identified variants (SNVs) was performed in additional family members. In silico analysis was used to predict the functional impact of non-synonymous variants. RESULTS Three SNVs located in two genes were identified that met the filtering criteria: one rare synonymous c.3156C>T variant in the collagen, type XVII, alpha I (COL17A1) gene; and two rare variants, one synonymous and one missense, in the dynamin binding protein (DNMBP) gene. Sanger sequencing of additional family members determined that only the COL17A1 variant segregates with the affected phenotype. In silico analysis predicts that the missense variant in DNMBP would be tolerated. CONCLUSIONS The corneal dystrophy mapped to chromosome 10q23-q24 is associated with the c.3156C>T variant in COL17A1. As this variant has recently been identified in five other families with early onset recurrent corneal erosions, and has been shown in vitro to introduce a cryptic splice donor site, this dystrophy is likely caused by aberrant splicing of COL17A1 and should be classified as epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Alleles
- Alternative Splicing
- Autoantigens/genetics
- Autoantigens/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Chromosome Mapping
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10/chemistry
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/diagnosis
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/genetics
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/metabolism
- Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/pathology
- Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- Epithelium, Corneal/metabolism
- Epithelium, Corneal/pathology
- Exome
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Gene Frequency
- Genes, Dominant
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Heterozygote
- Humans
- Male
- Mutation
- Non-Fibrillar Collagens/genetics
- Non-Fibrillar Collagens/metabolism
- Pedigree
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Collagen Type XVII
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Lin
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Derek J. Le
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yabin Chen
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Qiwei Wang
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - D. Doug Chung
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ricardo F. Frausto
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Richard W. Yee
- Cross Ophthalmology Associates, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fielding J. Hejtmancik
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anthony J. Aldave
- Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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35
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Oliver VF, van Bysterveldt KA, Cadzow M, Steger B, Romano V, Markie D, Hewitt AW, Mackey DA, Willoughby CE, Sherwin T, Crosier PS, McGhee CN, Vincent AL. A COL17A1 Splice-Altering Mutation Is Prevalent in Inherited Recurrent Corneal Erosions. Ophthalmology 2016; 123:709-22. [PMID: 26786512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal dystrophies are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders. We previously described a family with an autosomal dominant epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED). We aimed to identify the underlying genetic cause of ERED in this family and 3 additional ERED families. We sought to characterize the potential function of the candidate genes using the human and zebrafish cornea. DESIGN Case series study of 4 white families with a similar ERED. An experimental study was performed on human and zebrafish tissue to examine the putative biological function of candidate genes. PARTICIPANTS Four ERED families, including 28 affected and 17 unaffected individuals. METHODS HumanLinkage-12 arrays (Illumina, San Diego, CA) were used to genotype 17 family members. Next-generation exome sequencing was performed on an uncle-niece pair. Segregation of potential causative mutations was confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Protein expression was determined using immunohistochemistry in human and zebrafish cornea. Gene expression in zebrafish was assessed using whole-mount in situ hybridization. Morpholino-induced transient gene knockdown was performed in zebrafish embryos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Linkage microarray, exome analysis, DNA sequence analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and morpholino-induced genetic knockdown results. RESULTS Linkage microarray analysis identified a candidate region on chromosome chr10:12,576,562-112,763,135, and exploration of exome sequencing data identified 8 putative pathogenic variants in this linkage region. Two variants segregated in 06NZ-TRB1 with ERED: COL17A1 c.3156C→T and DNAJC9 c.334G→A. The COL17A1 c.3156C→T variant segregated in all 4 ERED families. We showed biologically relevant expression of these proteins in human cornea. Both proteins are expressed in the cornea of zebrafish embryos and adults. Zebrafish lacking Col17a1a and Dnajc9 during development show no gross corneal phenotype. CONCLUSIONS The COL17A1 c.3156C→T variant is the likely causative mutation in our recurrent corneal erosion families, and its presence in 4 independent families suggests that it is prevalent in ERED. This same COL17A1 c.3156C→T variant recently was identified in a separate pedigree with ERED. Our study expands the phenotypic spectrum of COL17A1 disease from autosomal recessive epidermolysis bullosa to autosomal dominant ERED and identifies COL17A1 as a key protein in maintaining integrity of the corneal epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity F Oliver
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katherine A van Bysterveldt
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Murray Cadzow
- Department of Biochemistry, Dunedin School of Medicine, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bernhard Steger
- Department of Corneal and External Eye Diseases, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Vito Romano
- Department of Corneal and External Eye Diseases, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David Markie
- Pathology Department, Dunedin School of Medicine, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia; Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia; Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Colin E Willoughby
- Department of Corneal and External Eye Diseases, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor Sherwin
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Philip S Crosier
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles N McGhee
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Eye Department, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea L Vincent
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Eye Department, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
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36
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Allen EHA, Courtney DG, Atkinson SD, Moore JE, Mairs L, Poulsen ET, Schiroli D, Maurizi E, Cole C, Hickerson RP, James J, Murgatroyd H, Smith FJD, MacEwen C, Enghild JJ, Nesbit MA, Leslie Pedrioli DM, McLean WHI, Moore CBT. Keratin 12 missense mutation induces the unfolded protein response and apoptosis in Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1176-91. [PMID: 26758872 PMCID: PMC4764196 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy (MECD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by dominant-negative mutations within the KRT3 or KRT12 genes, which encode the cytoskeletal protein keratins K3 and K12, respectively. To investigate the pathomechanism of this disease, we generated and phenotypically characterized a novel knock-in humanized mouse model carrying the severe, MECD-associated, K12-Leu132Pro mutation. Although no overt changes in corneal opacity were detected by slit-lamp examination, the corneas of homozygous mutant mice exhibited histological and ultrastructural epithelial cell fragility phenotypes. An altered keratin expression profile was observed in the cornea of mutant mice, confirmed by western blot, RNA-seq and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mass spectrometry (MS) and immunohistochemistry demonstrated a similarly altered keratin profile in corneal tissue from a K12-Leu132Pro MECD patient. The K12-Leu132Pro mutation results in cytoplasmic keratin aggregates. RNA-seq analysis revealed increased chaperone gene expression, and apoptotic unfolded protein response (UPR) markers, CHOP and Caspase 12, were also increased in the MECD mice. Corneal epithelial cell apoptosis was increased 17-fold in the mutant cornea, compared with the wild-type (P < 0.001). This elevation of UPR marker expression was also observed in the human MECD cornea. This is the first reporting of a mouse model for MECD that recapitulates the human disease and is a valuable resource in understanding the pathomechanism of the disease. Although the most severe phenotype is observed in the homozygous mice, this model will still provide a test-bed for therapies not only for corneal dystrophies but also for other keratinopathies caused by similar mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin H A Allen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK, Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David G Courtney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Sarah D Atkinson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Johnny E Moore
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK, Cathedral Eye Clinic, Academy Street, Belfast BT15 1ED, UK
| | - Laura Mairs
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - Davide Schiroli
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Eleonora Maurizi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Christian Cole
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Robyn P Hickerson
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - John James
- Microscopy Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Helen Murgatroyd
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Frances J D Smith
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Carrie MacEwen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN), Science Park, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark and
| | - M Andrew Nesbit
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Deena M Leslie Pedrioli
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - W H Irwin McLean
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK,
| | - C B Tara Moore
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK,
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